FOTO FRIDAY:TEA TIME

I have to confess a favorite new habit of Tea Time with an amazing new addiction, a tea my neighbor introduced me to by Harney & Sons sachets of Hot Cinnamon Spice tea. 

I used up the last tin and had to get more.  Ebay didn't let me down and I have replenished my stash. 

                              Perfect for these cold Fall days...

How did I ever live without it?

What's your favorite Fall/ Winter beverage?

Never too young to start tea time as Sara shares tea with her grand.

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was SQUASHED IT , if you missed it just click on the highlighted link and do share your pics with us too!

TBT:FALL 2019: 3 Weddings & a Funeral

 Life cycles filled our lives last Fall with both sad and happy times. In early October Aunt Bert nearing her 104th birthday left us but surrounding her departure were happier celebrations with three weddings: Simon & Leah's in September and Steven & Karen's in October, the last of the kids to be betrothed and new friends Ed & Maggie also tied the knot. 

So thankful that the plague wasn't here last year so we could attend all 4 celebrations of life... 

 the 3 couples under the canopy-

 Leah and Simon

Steven and Karen

 

                          

Ed and Maggie 

And to the newlyweds on their First Anniversaries we wish them all a huge Mazal Tov and many, many more without pandemics!

...THE EVOLUTION WAS NOT TELEVISED

Even though COVID 19 has limited our in person participation at lectures and discussions, Zoom has afforded us more diverse programs making travel not an issue. One can partake/ listen from one's own living room as Natureman and I did yesterday joining Madison's Diversity Forum of Town Hall Racial Injustice in America: The Evolution Was Not Televised. 

"Social media and international televising of the tragic death of George Floyd rocketed the issue of racism and social justice to heights all over the globe. During the past century of racial struggle, Gil Scott Heron's prophetic song, The Revolution shall not be Televised which became an anthem of the Movement of the 70's, has proved prophetic. Modern media was the key to bringing the need of a social revolution into focus. The unending evolution of racism and resulting social injustice has always been real to its victims but remained a myth to the skeptical masses. The recorded documentation of countless incidents now make injustice undeniable, but for African Americans experiencing the daily terror, tragedy and trauma, there was never a question of how it came to this. A panel of African American men- the most frequent targets discuss pervasive racism and how to change direction."

These men are in the screen shot below from L to R top row:

Dr. Ruben Anthony, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison 

Moderator :Dr. Jerlando F.L. Jackson, Vilas Distinguished Professor of Higher Education in the UW–Madison School of Education

Joshua Hargrove, Wisconsin Criminal Defense Attorney 

 L to R: Second Row

Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin 

Elizer Darris, Minnesota’s ACLU Smart Justice Campaign Organizer 

Before the panelists spoke, we had a quick history lesson re: the "unique slave system in the Americas with the unprecedented scale of enslavement and death of 12.4 million people removed from Africa with a mortality rate of 5 to 6 million. 'Our' slave trade had an inheritable, perpetual bondage, race based, normalized chattel slavery and no prescribed exit process."

Examples of laws with White over Black as an example from the state of Virginia)

 and a look at our very own Constitution as a Pro Slavery document

In a nutshell our panelists spoke of the following TRUTHS :

*White People do not have to think about the issues being status quo

*Racism today is less visible, often more subtle but just as damaging   mentally and physically. A black person always has to be alert   being put in a certain position...

*Black parents have to have the talk with children- ie re: Police   contact and how to behave.

*Danger of burning out from the burden of demands on Black     spokespeople for these race injustice conversations. 

*Mental health status of Black Males is also threatened from having    to be the strong warrior

* Physical complaints for people of color  not taken seriously by          White health officials.

* A crippled legal system, high incarceration % of Blacks

*Importance of Black involvement in the political arena, showing up   at protests, town hall meetings and then holding elected officials   accountable

* Poverty +Systemic racism  = inferior education, higher dropout %

*Ballot Power -Voting, and a movement to insure parolees understand voting rights dependent on state  

*Not just Civil Rights but Silver Rights- need to increase wage     earnings, ensure lower bank loans, fostering of small Black businesses

Just to name a few... 

Yes, the conversations are difficult but if not Now, When?

ESCAPISM

 Perhaps one of the best ways to not think about today's worries is to lose oneself in a good story either in a book/ movie. I had just finished watching the enjoyable limited series Queen's Gambit about a female chess player which BTW turns out to be fiction. Then, last night a charming sleeper came across the ocean and our way via Netflix called Fisherman's Friends.

It's a true story 'mostly' based on fact about a group of 10 mostly lobster fishermen who end their work days in a local pub, The Golden Lion, in Port Isaac in Cornwall. They polish off their couple of pints amidst singing songs about sea shanties. They are discovered by some tourists who are in the music industry and make their singing debut by getting a recording contract and landing on the music charts.  Amidst some fish stories this sweet movie tugs at one's heartstrings about true friendships. 

the movie cast pic for their album cover


The real 10 below ...

A good 2 hour escape for sure ...

MELANCHOLIC MONDAY MUSINGS

It would have been nice if the weather man had been wrong about the snow fall on Sunday. Light snow showers blew in and out. Not that there was much accumulation since the ground is still warm but as beautiful as the new snowflakes are they seemed to continue the darkness of the previous, colder week... A darkness that brought with it a melancholy of sorts that a lack of sunshine can invoke.

This late Fall is a season of loss right before some of our family's  matriarchs birthdays no less. Today the 26th was the birthday shared by my mother-in-law Esther and her younger sister Aunt Bert who died right before her 104th.

My Mom's death came right before she turned 85 in a couple weeks. As she was failing my brother told her I was coming in for her birthday, didn't she want to wait for me? She simply replied "No, she wasn't going to wait." Knowing my practical, considerate Mom she probably didn't want to complicate my travels plans so I would already be there in time for her funeral. 

 COVID19 brings its own melancholy since last March family visits were postponed and it's definitely riskier here now in the rural Midwest than ever. I kept hoping for a window to be able to get together but even when it wasn't here, it was spreading on both coasts where the kids live/ South where my siblings and Dad are.  

It's going to be a long winter... Orphan Annie sang, " the sun will come out tomorrow" Well, as far as I and many others are concerned, tomorrow just can't come soon enough.

Wear those masks so it can be sooner rather than later...

FOTO FRIDAY: SQUASHED IT

FOTO FRIDAY features fabulous Fall

 _ _ _ _ _... 

 Can you guess what fills in that last word of the alliteration? 

In fact, it's been the most fun using these yes, foods ( Did you guess it?) using apples, potatoes and yes, the most unusual collection of squashes so far sitting on our seasonal make shift garage shelves. They are playing an ingredient role in at least one of our daily meals as I try out newfound recipes. 

In fact, we have no clue where some of the seed came from but are enjoying them immensely in soups. But we've also enjoyed Apple Cider  Stew besides that Hungarian Mushroom, Apple and Squash Soup, Squash soup and this beautiful Thai sweet Potato Soup pictured below. If you want to try the Thai recipe you'll need to cut down the heat for our American palates.  

With dipping temps I'm looking forward to trying out the squashes and other harvested veggies for Roasted Pumpkin,Curried Pumpkin, Curry Red Lentil, Cheese with Broccoli, Cream of Fennel, Beet, Cabbage Beef , Italian Wedding , Brussel Sprouts with Carmelized Onion, Lentil and Buckwheat soup...  

It certainly is a pleasure cooking and experimenting with  a willing partner to share these new Fall meals!

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was COOPED UP

TBT: TRAVELING, A BIRD'S EYE VIEW?

Just a year ago this past week Natureman and I were enjoying the West coast. It was the youngest's wedding week and never could we imagine that our future plans of travel would be so stymied a year later... 

Natureman had been diagnosed between our 2 boys weddings and would be facing surgery upon our return. A lot of unknowns but hopes to use our National Parks pass was in the game plan once he recuperated. And even though he healed quickly and chemo plans allowed travel, this virus called COVID 19 rocked the entire world's 2020 plans. 

Completing both of the boys's wedding books this summer definitely gives me pleasure now as winter approaches... An opportunity to peruse happier times when we could travel and be with family... 

Here are some of those northern California 'Bay' Kodak moments...

Once doubtful if I should even bother continuing scrapbooking, I'm thankful now for just a bird's eye view of treasured memories and for Throw Back Thursdays to be able to share them...

INTENT TO RIOT/NOT?

The timeliness of the must see 2020 legal drama film by Aaron Sorkin is streaming now on NetFlix. Trial of the Chicago 7 gives us all historic insight to the intention of 8 individuals who were charged with conspiracy and crossing state lines to incite riots during the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention. The Chicago Eight Trial which became The Chicago 7, also was referred to as the Conspiracy Trial.

These anti Viet Nam protesters include Civil Rights activists Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne) and Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), two leaders of Students for a Democratic Society, David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), from Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam, and  nonconformists Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong) from the Youth International Party (the Yippies). Throw in  actors Michael Keaton and Joseph Gordon-Levitt who also add to the greatness of the cast, right?

 One finds oneself appalled on an emotional roller coaster of seeing what transpired during these turbulent 60's and the relevancy of what today's Black Lives Matter protesters are still battling. Moving courtroom monologues interspersed with film footage of the actual events help to retell this true political time of unrest where these individuals and their groups clashed with the National Guard and Chicago police. That is all but one, the Black Panther Bobby Seale who was wrongfully included, without legal representation and unconscionable treatment of being gagged and bound in a courtroom where justice should be served no less. 

You know it's a good film when you not only learn something but find yourself doing research after the film is over. Kudos to Sorkin for a job well done. Trial of the Chicago 7 reminds us of the all too familiar racism and social justice issues of 50 years ago still facing us today... 

MAIN TRAILER TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 

• 
  

RAVE REVIEWS: HEARTY TIMES

There's more than a crispness in the air and that means Soup Time in our household in the End of the Rainbow Valley with a new list of must tries. BUT if you are like one of my brothers and don't like mushrooms, the following is not a soup for you- BUT if you do, this one is a winner especially on a Fall day. 

Natureman went gaga over this Hungarian Mushroom soup.

You can mix a variety of mushrooms for texture but as usual I made it almost exactly per the original recipe and it didn't disappoint -  Suggestions included using Hungarian paprika. You can also go lo sodium/ low cal too and still have a flavorful soup. I personally loved the short prep time.

Here's what you'll need for Hungarian Mushroom Soup:

4 T unsalted butter

•         2 c chopped onions  
•        1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
•        2 t dried dill weed
• 1 T paprika
• 1 T soy sauce
• 2 c chicken broth (I used vegetable broth)
• 1 c milk
• 3 T all-purpose flour
• 1 t salt
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2 t lemon juice
• ¼ c chopped fresh parsley
•         ½ c sour cream
• 
  

• Directions:

  Instructions Checklist

  • Step 1

    Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Saute onions in butter for 5 minutes. 

  • Add mushrooms, sautee  5 more minutes. 

  • Stir in dill, paprika, soy sauce and broth. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

  • Step 2

    In separate small bowl, whisk  milk and flour together. Pour  into soup and stir well to blend. Cover and simmer for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Step 3

    Finally, stir in salt, ground black pepper, lemon juice, parsley and sour cream. Mix together and allow to heat through over low heat, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not boil. Serve immediately.

  • Serve with some rustic bread. YUM.

  • If you try making it, let me know if you agree!

  • 
    
    

    *one of 15 COZY SOUPS OF FALL FLAVORS suggested by Allrecipes.com 

  • 
    

MONDAY MUSINGS: APPEARANCES & SENSES

 Eventually it was bound to happen, the very dreaded thing,  the thing we have been working so hard to avoid. And people can be asymptomatic, right? Let me back up.

Natureman usually makes breaskfast on the weekends (when he feels like it) so when he announced on Friday, no less, French Toast would be on the menu Saturday, it was with great anticipation I awaited his almond flavored French Toast. ( BTW it's not that I can't make it, it's just  one of "his" dishes) and we usually do our own thing for weekday breakfasts since I get up so much earlier.  

Sure enough Saturday morning when after starting the coffee maker, he asks if I would still like French toast or how 'bout waffles?  Well, I don't know about you but when you're looking forward to something, a substitution just won't do, "French Toast, please," I answered. 

N:"Okay, just checking. "

I continued working on my puzzle and when breakfast was ready, he called out, " It's ready , come and get it while it's hot." He had all the fixings on the kitchen island. He likes his French toast with butter and maple syrup and for some reason he even added raspberry preserve. My preference is  raspberrry preserve with powdered sugar on top. ( Some folks refer to it as confectioner's sugar.)

He had poured me a cup of orange juice which I grabbed after fixing my French toast and headed to the table to sit down. He had already started eating. 

I was sooo ready to chow down as it's been a while since we've  had French toast. I cut my first bite but I didn't taste that special almond flavor. I took another bite and questioned whether he had forgotten to add the almond. " 

N: "No," he quips, " I added it." 

Me:" Do you taste it in yours? 

N:" Oh yeah."

 Then I realize at bite number three doesn't even have the raspberry jam taste. There's nothing, absolutely no flavor. The powdered sugar isn't even sweet.

Eyes widened as I look at him and utter "you know what no taste means? "

We ALL know that one of the unusual symptoms of COVID 19 is the loss of taste. My mind was already racing...

N:"But how could that be?  You haven't been around anybody, right ? "

Me: "Well, " I hesitate, "On Wednesday when I dropped you off at the hospital for your appointments, remember I went for a walk with ___? I really can't believe this." 

N:"Wait, didn't you wear masks? Weren't you 6 feet apart at all times? "

Me:" Of course we wore masks! " pregnant pause, "but we weren't always 6 ft apart."

N:  "Now, I'm going to get it too."

Me:(I'm starting to get panicky)" Seriously? That's not fair, everyone forgets and gets closer than the 6-10 feet of social distancing. Well, I feel fine right now but maybe I won't tomorrow."

I was devastated. As hard as it was I swallowed the last piece of French toast. My appetite had definitely waned....

There was nothing that could be done... I would just have to await the next symptom of the virus to rock our world. 

Natureman looked at me and asked what I was thinking. 

If looks could kill. I got snippy, "What do you think I'm thinking?"

N:'Bout the virus?

Me:Yeah, 'bout the virus, falling silent as my mind went off to lala land and the couch to sulk and work on my mindless jigsaw puzzle.

Natureman moved his plate and silverware to the kitchen as he began picking up the kitchen mess, a giant "Oh " comes from the kitchen.

Me: "What are you Oh'ing about? "   

Quiet from the kitchen. 

N: "That wasn't powder sugar, it was cornstarch."

Let me explain most of our kitchen staples are kept in Tupperware containers. The cornstarch and powdered sugar are in the same size tupperware and same lower kitchen cabinet but on different sides of the same shelf, Yes, they are labelled but only on one side.         

An easy mistake to make... Natureman had pulled the container from the wrong side of the shelf.   

OMG. The cornstarch had neutralized everything in my mouth thats why I didn't taste anything.

Natureman was so apologetic. We had both let our senses run amuck... 

Now we both can laugh about this innocent mistake and it certainly will be right up there with our COVID 19 stories. 

Hopefully a story, one in which all can find humor!                                                                                                               

*Let it be noted after numerous " I'm sorrys" throughout the day, Natureman did make me French Toast again on Sunday and this time it tasted great, powdered sugar and all...                                   

                                                                                                       

 

FOTO FRIDAY: COOPED UP/ PIC OF A PIC

FOTO FRIDAY this week is of a very special treat we just received. Friend Colleen does plein aire painting and had written in her blog about her prolific artistic endeavors.  It occurred to me that she could get some great subject matter out here in the End of the Rainbow Valley especially with peak leaf color on the surrounding hillside. So I extended an invite and she took me up on it.

Colleen took a lot of photos for her future winter painting when she's stuck inside and then set up her easel for a plein aire session and look what she left us... of course, it's today's FOTO FRIDAY. 

Who knew the chicken coop could ever look so good?! 

Colleen also does pet paintings. What a talented artist!

Have any photos  of your homestead? Do share.

Sara shared a pic from her D.C. paradise.

Last week was :HASTA LA VISTA

TBT: THE PRICELESS PERMANENT COLLECTION

I was the Mom who saved her kids's art projects. Some of those handmade family art made it into the holiday bins and became part of the yearly decorations. Others went into each child's keepsake bins.

During the last couple of years I have started slowly consolidating those bins. The really tattered pieces that couldn't be mended have been tossed. Now that my daughter has her own permanent home, I have been sending her keepsake stuff home with her when she visits/ via mail. You know adding on to 'her' collection and lightening my own. Last week I put together a Halloween holiday package with a couple new decorations too. This TBT is about one of the enclosed items.

Yesterday our morning FaceTime came as Ms. H, my 3 year old granddaughter, opened the newly arrived Halloween package from the End of the Rainbow Valley as she inspected each piece showing it to her Mom and me... 

The 3 new different sized pumpkins upcycled from old sweaters were quickly put aside. (Well, those really were for her Mom right now.) When I told her what she was holding was a candle, she thought I said candy and started to unwrap it, determined to eat it. As I kept repeating "No, candle- not candy," her Mom quickly intervened. Whew. She also really liked the Halloween charm pigtail bobbies but first put them on as bracelets. Other items caught her fancy too-

But, it was the ~35 year old piece of art at the bottom of the box that got her Mother to let out a squeal of delight. Her Mom exclaimed. "You won't believe this! This is the art project we are getting ready to do this morning during our morning lesson time." AND it was.

Take a look...

Of course, my daughter was a bit older when she made hers but I have a feeling these art pieces are going into their permanent collection now... Priceless.

  ( I think this will be for their 2021 addition next year and perhaps my daughter's reaction will be that of the far right pumpkin! LOL)

MISSED IT?

Do you find yourself checking the calendar more than once a day?  Some of these COVID days certainly seem to either fly by/ drag on.

Yesterday was one of those fly by days for me.  I didn't even remember there was a holiday as my desk calendar hadn't reminded me about Indigenous Day, the once politically incorrect Columbus Day. 

Besides getting exercise on a beautiful fall late afternoon our walk to the mailbox had been fruitless as there was no mail. Hmmmm? It wasn't until opening FaceBook today did I realize that it had been a holiday. News of Portland's celebration had become Indigenous Day of Rage. There are probably a lot of white heads shaking back 'n forth in disbelief at the damage caused.  But the truth is we all need a wake up call to understand what 'we' white settlers continue to do. If you are having difficulty understanding, take a look at the the White House’s Proclamation on Columbus Day, 2020. 

Thank you Justin P. Cowan for correcting the message and making it  politically correct ...

May we always remember on whose land we are living.

MONDAY MUSINGS:ANSWERING QUESTIONS

Do you remember hearing the statement growing up " Just answer the question" ? Perhaps it was said by your parents/a friend/ teacher. Yeah, the BS didn't really work very well then and during last week's vice presidential debate that's all I could utter to the TV screen- especially to the white haired guy with a fly on his head... Just answer the question.

We know the candidates have talking points they have practiced ad nauseam and need to insert but seriously who do they think they are fooling? They only have 2 minutes per question. We, the public, do appreciate the answers and truth to boot.

The truth works especially considering one of them just might have to take over the running of this country in the next 4 years. I don't know about you but that fly certainly knew BS when he heard it... 

                                         Have a good week!

FOTO FRIDAY: HASTA LA VISTA

Scenic Bluffs is featured this week in FOTO FRIDAY. As I previously mentioned there were only 3 cars when we parked and those women had met to share the outing together and were eating lunch/ a snack at separate tables but eventually became part of my favorite Fall photo.

Why? Because of what it portrays, not only the beauty of nature but availing the ability to socially distance donning masks out in a place even as spacious as a park... Our relationships truly appreciate the nurturing.

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was JACK FROST 

Send me your photos anytime to include ...

TBT: FOLLOWING THE SIGNS

Even when one lives in the woods, a change of scenery is always welcome and with the limited warmer days, it's a must to take advantage of them.

We returned to Scenic Bluffs State Park, one of Natureman's favorite parks.  It's  across the river but took a little longer to arrive as road construction gave us a little detour due to closed ramps. Determination, no signs got us back to the park with  plenty of time to  enjoy the beautiful afternoon filled with fall colors and a walk in the woods...

There were only 3 cars in the section of the park we visited and those park visitors were enjoying their picnic lunches when we arrived so we had the trails to the overlooks to ourselves. But there were signs to remind all about social distancing. As a linguist it was not lost on me the efforts to  ensure the term narrow trail was not only in English but for Spanish  and Hmong speaking visitors as well...

And when Natureman took my hand I wasn't sure if it was the sign / just an endearing moment...

One did have to pay attention to the knarly tree roots crossing the well travelled paths.  

The temp was ideal walking weather and the vistas between the trees and overlooks were breathtaking with the fall colors. 

As you can see light played on both the leaves and the trunks of the trees in the afternoon sun.

We had the vantage point being 600 ft above the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and the Black River Delta which are flanked by the eastern bluffs of the Mississippi River in the State of Wisconsin.

We took a different way home and enjoyed passing through the quaint town of Nodine, Minnestota.

As always I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country.

Stay tuned for my favorite photo of our Miata jaunt in tomorrow's FOTO FRIDAY...